📷Enrique Razon Jr.
House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro strongly criticized the ongoing court battle between the Razon-led Malampaya gas field consortium and the Pangilinan-led Meralco, describing it as an “oligarch intramural” that should not burden consumers.
“Ito ang hirap sa privatized na energy sector, palaging kita at tubo ang hinahabol pero hindi naman ang consumers ang makikinabang. Sana naman ay unahin nila ang interes ng mamamayan hindi yung kung paano sila mas kikita pa ng mas malaki,” said the teacher solon.
Rep. Castro emphasized that the primary consideration in this dispute should be the welfare of consumers. “With the current issue now between Malampaya and Meralco, we must first and foremost consider the interest of consumers. Bababa ba ang singil sa kuryente kapag nanalo ang Malampaya o ang Meralco sa isyung ito? Yan ang palaging dapat na tanong,” she stated.
The ACT Teachers representative pointed out that the recent court ruling, which granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Meralco’s public bidding for additional power supply, highlights the inherent problems in a privatized energy sector. She argued that such conflicts between profit-driven entities often neglect the needs and interests of ordinary citizens.
“For us not to have these types of intramurals, it would be best if the power sector along with other key industries be nationalized and not privatized,” Rep. Castro concluded, advocating for a fundamental change in the country’s approach to managing critical industries.
The lawmaker’s statements come in light of the ongoing legal dispute between the Malampaya consortium and Meralco, which has raised concerns about energy security, pricing, and the future of indigenous energy sources in the Philippines. Rep. Castro’s call for nationalization reflects a growing sentiment among progressive groups that vital sectors should prioritize public interest over corporate profits.
